Poll: Voters Want Bush Tax Cuts Extended to Help Economy

A new poll shows that 90 percent of those responding are worried about the economy, and majority believe the Bush tax cuts should be extended, even for people making more than $250,000 a year.

Fifty-five percent also said that President Barack Obama’s economic plans have made things worse, running up the deficit without ending the recession or creating new jobs, while 42 percent say the president's policies have helped avert a worse crisis and are laying the groundwork for further growth.

The poll, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies/Hart Research for CNBC, also showed that two-thirds of those surveyed believe that neither Democrats nor Republicans know how to improve it.

In addition, 55 percent said raising taxes on any Americans would slow the economy and kill jobs, and 40 percent said tax cuts should be canceled for higher-income taxpayers.

Only 14 percent of those surveyed approved of the government's policies for dealing with the recession, and 56 percent said those policies are aiding banks.

The Washington Post reports that allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire would provide just about enough revenue to balance the budget minus interest payments by 2015.

Allowing the cuts to expire would not require 60 votes, only a veto of any extension bills and 34 votes to protect the veto in the Senate.

A new poll shows that 90 percent of those responding are worried about the economy, and majority believe the Bush tax cuts should be extended, even for people making more than $250,000 a year.
Fifty-five percent also said that President Barack Obama s economic plans have...